The USMNT is through to the knockout rounds of the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup after beating Saudi Arabia 1-0 in Austin, Texas, on Thursday.
MORE — Pochettino hits back at Pulisic: “I’m the head coach”
Mauricio Pochettino’s side didn’t score nearly the number of goals (1, compared to 5), or have nearly the same number of chances (5 shots, compared to 21), as they did in their opener against Trinidad & Tobago, but the Yanks still improved to two wins from two games in Group D.
The breakthrough didn’t come until shortly after the hour mark, but what a moment of individual quality it was from Sebastian Berhalter to set up Chris Richards for his 2nd USMNT goal in the 63rd minute. Berhalter stepped up to a free kick roughly 35 yards out and couldn’t have placed his service into the penalty area any better had he picked the ball up and walked it into the box himself. Richards’ run was timed inch-perfect and all he had to do was get a foot on the ball seven yards out from goal to turn it home.
That would actually be the final shot attempted in the game as the USMNT sat deeper to defend and looked to make the most of counter-attacking opportunities from that point forward.
Player ratings - USMNT vs Saudi Arabia
What’s next?
- USMNT vs Haiti — Sunday, 7 pm ET
- Saudi Arabia vs Trinidad & Tobago — Sunday, 7 pm ET
USMNT vs Saudi Arabia live updates - by Andy Edwards
USMNT vs Saudi Arabia final score: 1-0
Goalscorers: Chris Richards (63')
GOAL! USMNT 1-0 Saudi Arabia: Richards turns home Berhalter’s brilliant free kick (63')
What a ball from Berhalter.
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) June 20, 2025
What a finish by Richards.pic.twitter.com/gKSz2CcFiV
USMNT starting lineup
Freese - Freeman, Richards, Ream, Arfsten - de la Torre, Berhalter, Tillman - McGlynn, Luna, Agyemang
Saudi Arabia starting lineup
Alaqidi - Abdulhamid, Al Amri, Madu, Al-Boushail - Al-Hassan, Al-Obood, Aljohani - Majrashi, Ahmed, Al-Buraikan
How to watch USMNT vs Saudi Arabia live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 9:15 pm ET, Thursday
How to watch: FS1, TUDN
Stream online: FOXSports.com or the FOX Sports app
Mauricio Pochettino’s side snapped a four-game winless streak at home (first time since 1988) with a 5-0 victory over Trinidad & Tobago on Sunday, thanks in large part to two goals from Malik Tillman and a pair of assists from Diego Luna. The midfield duo played a part in each of the USMNT’s first three goals, all in the first half, as they make their case not only for a spot on the 2026 World Cup but perhaps a place in the starting lineup — even when Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie are back in the mix.
USMNT focus, team news
What’s great about the USMNT’s performance against T&T is that they scored five goals (on a very healthy 3.48 xG) while holding 70 percent of possession in the game. Almost regardless of opponent, the A-team has too often struggled to generate chances (and score them) when the opposition puts five defenders and four midfielders behind the ball. What’s even better is that only four of their 21 shots were taken from outside the box, meaning they worked the ball deep into the penalty area (only 8 shots outside 12 yards) and didn’t settle for speculative long-range attempts.
Saudi Arabia focus, team news
Saudi Arabia, the lone team in the tournament invited as a guest, beat Haiti 1-0 in their Group D opener. Al-Ittihad striker Saleh Al-Shehri scored from the penalty spot in the 21st minute. Al-Shehri is the only player in the Arabian Falcons’ current squad with double-digit international goals (17).
USMNT vs Saudi Arabia prediction
The Saudis were quite poor with their limited possession (43 percent) against 83rd-ranked Haiti and will likely have even less to work with against the Yanks. Patience will be key again, but Luna will deliver the goods again. USMNT 3-1 Saudi Arabia.
